Reminder for the week: Hunters must wear hunter orange during firearms deer season

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Oct. 2-8 made 1,857 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 46 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 46 citations. Officers responded to 56 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On Oct. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers displayed the Operation Game Theft Trailer and discussed hunting, fishing, boating and the Operation Game Theft program during the annual Fire Prevention Day at the Houston Fire Department.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 6, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Mark G. Mikelat, 34, of Millsboro, for two counts of possession of firearm/weapon by person prohibited, one count of maintaining a drug property, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana related – civil and one count of must wear hunter orange after contacting him while hunting off Cannon Road near Millsboro. Mikelat was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $3,150 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
• On Oct. 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Mollie S. Willis, 21, of Seaford, for one count of possession of marijuana other than personal use, one count of failure to have insurance identification in possession, one count of failure to have driver’s license in possession and one count of trespassing after hours on state wildlife area, after contacting her in the Nanticoke Wildlife Area, near Laurel. Willis was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $165 unsecured bond and a no contact order with all state controlled parks in Delaware. The following press release was issued last week in regards to the incident: DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police searching for suspect in assault on an officer.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Must wear hunter orange (2), hunting on a refuge (2), wildlife area map violation (3), unlawful method of take (1), unlawful to hunt on division lands (1), and unlawful possession of game animal (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (1), possession of undersized tautog (7), and possession of undersized summer flounder (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1) and failure to observe slow/no wake zone (1).

Public Safety: Possession of firearm/weapon by a person prohibited (2), maintaining a drug property (1), possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana related-civil (1), possession of marijuana other than for personal use (1), failure to have insurance identification in possession (2)*, failure to have driver’s license in possession (1), possession of loaded firearm in motor vehicle (1), and passing on a double yellow line (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (12)*, littering on a state wildlife area (1)*, and target shooting on a state wildlife area (1)*.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that wearing hunter orange is required for safety during all firearms deer seasons. Firearm deer hunters, as well as bow hunters and small game hunters, are required to wear a total no less than 400 square inches of hunter orange on their heads, chests and backs. Deer hunters concealed inside ground blinds must place their 400 square inches of hunter orange material within 10 feet outside of the blind and at least 3 feet off the ground.

For more information on hunting in Delaware, click on 2016-2017 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide. Wildlife area maps with area-specific regulations are available online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps. Printed copies of the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide and the wildlife area maps are also available at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by calling the Wildlife Section office at 302-739-9912. The printed guide also is available from license agents throughout the state.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Lt. John McDerby 302-354-1386 or Sgt. Brooke Africa 302-382-7167.

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